Improvement in lasts



` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PIGKMORE JACKSON, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,275, dated August 8, 1865.

To all 'whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, ProKMoRn JACKSON, of Saugus, in the county of Essex and State oi' Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lasts; and I do hereby declare that the following is a i'ull, clear, and exact description ofthe construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figures l and 2 are longitudinal central sections through lasts provided with different kinds of blocks. Fig. 3 is a plan of the eye or staple through which the withdrawin g-string is passed, and Fig. 4 is a plan of the springfastener.

Like parts are indicated by the same letters in all the drawings.

The nature of my invention consists, rst, in

the employment of a spring-fastener applied to the base and back of a last-block, so as to spring into a mortise in the last when the Vblock is fully pushed in, whereby the block is effectually prevented from slipping back in theoperav tions of making the shoe; and,sccond, in connecting with the free end ofthe spring-fastener V a string and passing it through an eye or staple in the back of the block, above the fastener, to facilitatethe Withdrawal of the block from the last while they are both in the shoe, a continuous tension on the said string in the same direction operating first to raise the fastener from the mortise and then withdraw the block.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, l will npw proceed to describe the construction and operation of the same.

In Figs. 1 and 2, A represents the last, and B the Wooden block, constructed substantially like the lasts and blocks in general use, j being the last-hook hole, and t', Fig. 2 the hole ior the reception of the heel-pin of a headblock or last-holder.

B in Fig. l represents lwhat is called a grooved block;7 the center of the base being provided, as shown by the dotted line, with a longitudinal dovetail tenon, which slides in a corresponding mortise in the last, whereby the block is prevented from moving laterally;

and B in Fig. 2 represents another style of block, or what is known asthe sawed block,

thefrontend ofwhich is provided Witha dovvelpin, h, which enters a hole in the last to keep the toe end of the block from moving sidewise. Both kinds of blocks are now in general use, though the first is considered the better. My improvement applies equally well to either.

To give a uniform fullness to boots and shoes and insure a perfect t on the wearers foot, it is ot' the utmost importance that the block 4should always be forced in the` same distance and eectually prevented from slipping or starting back (as it often does with the blocks in general use) during the operation of lasting or tackiug the upper to the sole on the last.

Again, after the shoe has been lasted it is very important that the block should notstart back during the subsequent operations of finishing, as in that case the upper stock is liable to wrinkle and be greatlyinjured before the Work has been completed. It is also very important that the fastener should be so constructed as to be inserted and withdrawn withthe least possible loss of time. And all of these advantages, I think, are etfectually secured by my improvements.

C isa flat spring, thesize andshapeof which are clearly shown in Figs. l, 2, and 4, the free end being bent so asto form a loop, e, while the opposite end is'provided with a hole for the reception of the screw d,bymeans of which it is made fast to the under side of the block, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2.

Sis a mortise in the center of the top of the l last for the reception of the spring C.

mortise S, and, restingagainst the upper end.

of the same, eiiectually prevents the block from ever jarring or sliding back.

The operation of withdrawing the block from a boot or shoe has been snflcientl;vv described above in settingfortn the nature of my invention.

My last-block fastener is very simple, cheap, and durable, can be readily applied to any last in general use, and constitutes, I think, avery great; improvement in the art.

Whatl claim as nengand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The springfastener C, applied to the base and back of a last-block, and operatngin combination with the mortise S, substantially as set forth, and for the purpose described.

2. The string G and eye or stapieF, or their equivalents, in combination with the springC, substantially as and for the purpose described.

PICKMORE JACKSON.

Vituesses:

N AMES, GEO. R. CLARKE. 

